Synopsis: Many states and communities are struggling with the complex challenges of ensuring the safety and well-being of children in the child welfare system, while at the same time experimenting with various types of privatization of child welfare services. This presentation will provide an overview of a lead agency organizational and community engagement analysis, which is one component of an ongoing, legislatively mandated evaluation of community-based care (CBC) in Florida. There will be a focus on the unique nature of the CBC implementation in Florida in relation to community ownership, participation of local boards and community alliances, and the success of different lead agency models.